Implementation and timescales

NIHR CSP will be implemented during 2008. Although initially scheduled to begin in April, implementation was postponed to allow all key staff to be in place, trained and familiar with the systems and for software to be fully tested.

The CSP systems and processes are currently in the final stages of development in preparation for roll out later this year. Roll out will rely on a number of key stages being met:

• The CSP ReDA software and the link from IRAS (Integrated Research Application System) to the CSP ReDA software both passing their User Acceptance Tests
  
• The CSP ReDA software and operating procedures undergoing a series of pilot tests to ensure the software is fully functional, to refine processes if required and to gain feedback on the user experience from active investigators and study coordinators on use of NIHR CSP
  
• Satisfactory completion of a staged implementation process for receipt of real-time studies through IRAS.

At the same time a programme of work to support NHS organisations in preparing for CSP will be rolled out.

NIHR CSP will initially be available to studies within the NIHR Portfolio.

This phased approach to implementation will ensure a smoother transition for both the research and research management communities and deliver a more robust and effective system. NIHR CSP will therefore go live in the NHS when these key stages have been satisfactorily completed. As the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) will be the entry point to NIHR CSP, UKCRN strongly encourages applicants to familiarise themselves with and start using IRAS now.

Updates on the progress of the NIHR CSP project through these key milestones will be provided regularly via this website.

Progress to date

First stage pilot
An initial pilot was held between mid July 2007 and April 2008. This included three phases:

• Phase I involved mapping the approval timelines for ten existing multi-site studies to identify any limiting steps and look at the critical permissions pathway
  
• Phase II looked at a new study currently going through approval to identify how to speed the permissions process up
  
• Phase III used the new system to facilitate permission for a number of studies.

Findings from the first pilot will be available here shortly.

Second stage pilot
A second stage pilot commenced in July.

The Pilot will be a collaborative effort between the UKCRN Coordinating Centre and Comprehensive Local Research Networks overseen by the CSP Oversight Group.

The Pilot will test whether:

1. CSP processes and pathways are sound
2. CSP ReDA software is robust and fit for purpose
3. The different parties involved in CSP have appropriate roles
4. NHS organisations find the Governance Reports adequate as the basis for providing NHS permission
5. Investigators find the process intuitive and supportive

It will have three stages:

Stage I
Stage I focuses on CSP pathways (i.e. how studies progress through CSP) and the CSP ReDA software. This stage will involve staff from the CSP Unit (CSPU) and the CLRNs.

Stage II
Stage II focuses on the CSP Operating Guidelines as well as the CSP ReDA software and involves staff from CSPU and a large number of, if not all, CLRNs. In this stage, 9 (or more) real studies, which have previously been approved at NHS sites (‘dummy studies’), will be reprocessed as realistically as possible following the CSP Operating Guidelines. All studies will be started at the same time and involve different CLRNs (although each CLRN may well be involved in more than one study). The CLRNs involved will include (some of) the NHS Organisations who had previously given permission for this study to occur at their site.

Stage III
Stage III has been designed to gain feedback from currently active Investigators regarding how they engage with CSP and how, according to current Operating Guidelines, they will receive communications from CSPU and CLRNs as their studies progress through CSP.

Data collected from each stage will be transcribed, collated and analysed by staff at the UKCRN CC. This will then be reviewed by the CSP Systems and Processes Definition Group which will provide summary findings. Further information will be made available on this website.